A (mis) interpretation:
Name: Manji.
Alias: The Immortal Blade; The Killer of One Hundred; Mister Twelve Blades.
Age: 26 years old.
Affiliation: Non / ronin / yojimbo.
Abilities: Immortality; expert swordsmanship; cunningness; peaked human physiology.
Std. armaments: Katana - "Imo-no-Kami Tatsumasa (Sister Defender Tatsumasa)" x 2; wakizashi - "Shidō (Four Paths)" x 2; chained scythes - "Mumei (Nameless)" x 2; dagger - "Kotengu (Little Devil)" x 1; two-headed spear - "Aun (Om)" x 1; shuriken - "Karasu (Crow)" x 2; modified club - "Okorobi (Man Toppler)" x 1; ōdachi - "Merabi (Lady Gadfly)" x 1.
Late 18th century. Edo period, Japan. Out of loyalty and honour, Manji, a samurai, carried out numerous acts of atrocities and brutal suppression upon the local populace, most of them innocent victims, upon the order of his tyrannical lord and daimyo, Horii Shigenobu. However, Manji assassinated his own lord after he was framed and implicated in an intricate plot of power struggle. An extremely serious offense, he was hunted after by fellow members of the clan, of whom one hundred was killed single-handedly by the extremely skilful samurai in a single confrontation overnight. On the run from the law enforcers for the next two years, the by-then ronin secretly made his way to his sister, Machi, house to seek temporary refuge when he was confronted by Saito Tatsumasa, a chief law enforcer of the area. In the subsequent duel, Manji defeated and killed Saito, un-aware that he was Machi's husband. The killing incidentally occurred in front of Machi which shattered her mind, reducing her to a child-like behaviour. The ronin, horrified and extremely remorseful for causing his sister's predicament, intended to commit seppuku for atonement. Before Manji could carry out the act, the ronin was approached by an elderly nun, Yaobikuni. She claimed to have been observing the ronin for a period, saying a swordsman of such skills could contribute better to the society in such tumultuous times instead of simply committing suicide. Yaobikuni also said that Manji was now indebted to look after the welfare of his sister and must stay alive to do so. She made an extraordinary offer to the ronin - immortality. In return Manji would have to forgo the worldly trappings and cycle of violence to become a monk or kill one thousand truly evil individuals as atonement for the innocent people whom he had murdered. The ronin was perplexed and brushed Yaobikuni off, accusing her offer a hoax born out of superstition. The nun was calm and asked whether she could stay with them for awhile before continuing her journey, of which Manji reluctantly agreed, sensing that the elderly midget sized woman could be of no harm and might even help him look after Machi. He forgo the idea of suicide and commit to looking after the well being of Machi instead. But no one could escape karmic repercussion it seemed.
One night, Manji was lured away from his house as part of a ruse to kidnap Machi. The mastermind of the plot was Shido Hishiyasu, whose younger brother, Gyobutsu, an assassin posing as a priest, had been killed by Manji earlier, and now intended to avenge his death. Hishiyasu was also the leader of the Shinsengumi, one of the biggest groups whose members comprised vicious mercenaries, assassins and bounty hunters. The sociopath sent a message to Manji, who immediately went to the area at the edge of a forest. Manji pleaded to Hishiyasu to let Machi go and would surrender himself. Manji was bounded up and brutally beaten to half consciousness. Hishiyasu then sexually molested Machi in front of him before cutting her down with his sword in one single stroke. Manji was overwhelmed with such grief that he crawled to cover Machi's body as numerous swords, blades, arrows, darts, and even firearms such as arquebuses rained onto him. His physical pain was incomparable to the emotional sufferance Manji was undergoing through and through. As Manji shattered body lay motionless on the ground over his sister, the group laughed and was overjoyed. Then it happened. Hishiyasu and the gang members could not believe their own eyes, like an act of trickery or hallucination. But it was not. Manji's unrecognisable, badly mutilated body became whole again and the ronin was seemingly alive, and then stood up. Even the most hardened killers were shaking with fear. Hishiyasu then looked at Manji. The ronin eyes were filled with extreme wrath. There were no witnesses that night. But if there were, it would be a sight which would scarred an individual forever due to the manner of which Manji carried out the absolute annihilation of the entire gang, including Hishiyasu himself, as retaliation for Machi's death. The entire area was red with bloods. Authorities investigating the massacre had no means to even identify the body parts, except for the decapitated head of Hishiyasu, whose expression was of someone whom seemed to have underwent a terrible torture before dying. The case was closed, with the investigators citing a gang rivalry as cause.
How Manji survived was quite simple. Yaobikuni had earlier secretly infused the ronin with Kessen-chu, a form of sacred microscopic organism which gave him immortality. Manji, which means well-being, harmonious balance and eternal, brought back Machi's body home, covered in blood. After the funeral ceremony and a period of mourning, Manji agreed to Yaobikuni's offer - to kill one thousand truly evil individuals. But with one condition, that once the objective was accomplish, regardless how long it would take, the nun would remove the Kessen-chu from Manji's body and the ronin would be granted an honourable death. The nun agreed and shared that she was a 800 years old Kessen-chu saturated individual. Manji wore a unique samurai robe specially made for him by the nun. It was black and white with an emblazoned symbol of his name, a left facing swastika on the back. The Kessen-chu gave Manji the power of immortality. He wouldn't age and any form of physical injuries, regardless of the severity, would be instantaneously healed, allowing Manji to sustain any wounds. This extend to the point where his severed limbs and torso could be reattached back, internal organs and damaged nerves completely healed, critically and fatally damaged cells can regenerate, preventing scars. Manji could not be harmed by any disease nor poison. The only weaknesses of this immortality are decapitation, starvation, burning to ash, extreme cold, lack of food or oxygen, being crushed to a pulp and drowning. Scars or wounds prior to the infusion of Kessen-chu also remained such as his blinded right eye and various old scars. He could still feel pain from injuries inflicted upon him. Manji imposed self-abstinence from the temptation of the flesh but indulged in smoking and eating while not seeking out targets to achieve his objective.
One night, Manji was lured away from his house as part of a ruse to kidnap Machi. The mastermind of the plot was Shido Hishiyasu, whose younger brother, Gyobutsu, an assassin posing as a priest, had been killed by Manji earlier, and now intended to avenge his death. Hishiyasu was also the leader of the Shinsengumi, one of the biggest groups whose members comprised vicious mercenaries, assassins and bounty hunters. The sociopath sent a message to Manji, who immediately went to the area at the edge of a forest. Manji pleaded to Hishiyasu to let Machi go and would surrender himself. Manji was bounded up and brutally beaten to half consciousness. Hishiyasu then sexually molested Machi in front of him before cutting her down with his sword in one single stroke. Manji was overwhelmed with such grief that he crawled to cover Machi's body as numerous swords, blades, arrows, darts, and even firearms such as arquebuses rained onto him. His physical pain was incomparable to the emotional sufferance Manji was undergoing through and through. As Manji shattered body lay motionless on the ground over his sister, the group laughed and was overjoyed. Then it happened. Hishiyasu and the gang members could not believe their own eyes, like an act of trickery or hallucination. But it was not. Manji's unrecognisable, badly mutilated body became whole again and the ronin was seemingly alive, and then stood up. Even the most hardened killers were shaking with fear. Hishiyasu then looked at Manji. The ronin eyes were filled with extreme wrath. There were no witnesses that night. But if there were, it would be a sight which would scarred an individual forever due to the manner of which Manji carried out the absolute annihilation of the entire gang, including Hishiyasu himself, as retaliation for Machi's death. The entire area was red with bloods. Authorities investigating the massacre had no means to even identify the body parts, except for the decapitated head of Hishiyasu, whose expression was of someone whom seemed to have underwent a terrible torture before dying. The case was closed, with the investigators citing a gang rivalry as cause.
How Manji survived was quite simple. Yaobikuni had earlier secretly infused the ronin with Kessen-chu, a form of sacred microscopic organism which gave him immortality. Manji, which means well-being, harmonious balance and eternal, brought back Machi's body home, covered in blood. After the funeral ceremony and a period of mourning, Manji agreed to Yaobikuni's offer - to kill one thousand truly evil individuals. But with one condition, that once the objective was accomplish, regardless how long it would take, the nun would remove the Kessen-chu from Manji's body and the ronin would be granted an honourable death. The nun agreed and shared that she was a 800 years old Kessen-chu saturated individual. Manji wore a unique samurai robe specially made for him by the nun. It was black and white with an emblazoned symbol of his name, a left facing swastika on the back. The Kessen-chu gave Manji the power of immortality. He wouldn't age and any form of physical injuries, regardless of the severity, would be instantaneously healed, allowing Manji to sustain any wounds. This extend to the point where his severed limbs and torso could be reattached back, internal organs and damaged nerves completely healed, critically and fatally damaged cells can regenerate, preventing scars. Manji could not be harmed by any disease nor poison. The only weaknesses of this immortality are decapitation, starvation, burning to ash, extreme cold, lack of food or oxygen, being crushed to a pulp and drowning. Scars or wounds prior to the infusion of Kessen-chu also remained such as his blinded right eye and various old scars. He could still feel pain from injuries inflicted upon him. Manji imposed self-abstinence from the temptation of the flesh but indulged in smoking and eating while not seeking out targets to achieve his objective.
His first assignment began by becoming a yojimbo to a fourteen years old girl, Asano Rin and avenge her parents brutal murder at the hands of a group of highly skilled mercenaries and assassins called Ittō-ryū. The group was led by Kageshiha Anotsu, a master swordsman whom intended to unite and rule all existing dojos under him. Early in his quest, Manji became more and more reliant on his immortality and healing power to the point whereby his swordsmanship skill began to decline. As he faced greater and more powerful opponents, Manji reverted to training himself into a master swordsman once more. He developed a habit of collecting and using his defeated and killed opponents weaponries if he liked it. Manji faced various degrees of obstacles and challenges during his journey to achieve his goal. He had been defeated by greater opponents, like master swordswoman Otono-Tachibana Makie and master assassin Giichi, as well as being outwitted, trapped, captured and tortured. But Manji survived it all. His targets were mostly driven by ambition, pride and greed. Some were outright psychopath such as Kuroi Sabato and Shira, which Manji spared no mercy when despatching them. He also challenged and defeated a swordsman, Shizuma Eiku whom was infused with Kessen-chu and like him, was an immortal. He also destroyed and annihilated many groups and clans, including the powerful Mugai-ryū and Rokki-dan, led by Habaki Kagimura. Starting out as a cocky, self-opinionated individual, Manji ended up becoming more understanding and mature over the course of time. Manji also become more conflicted, questioning what truly define an evil person. He became more emphatic and had even shown sympathy to some of his targets on several occasions. Some even became allies with him in several quests. Manji also succeed in freeing Rin from the vicious cycle of vengeance and escalation of violence.
For all purpose, Manji did not achieve the killing of one thousand truly evil individuals, only nine hundred and ninety nine. He allowed the last one, Anotsu himself, to live out of mercy and pity. The former nemesis of Manji was by then a mentally shattered and physically broken old man. Time had not been kind to him. At the end of his quest, Manji ultimately gained great spiritual insight about upholding the values of humanity, moralism and the truth of meaningful existence, which was Yaobikuni's overall objective. Manji prayed at Machi's grave for the last time. He had dug a pit beside it. As he lit up his pipe for a final smoke, Yaobikuni asked if he was ready of which Manji nodded. He grimaces and tears flowed freely down his cheeks as his body was wrecked with pain and unbridled spasms. There after, Manji was no more and freed of his all the emotional burden and guilt he had carried in this world.
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Blade of the Immortal (無限の住人 Mugen no Jūnin, lit. "The Inhabitant of Infinity") is a Japanese manga series by Hiroaki Samura. The series is set in Japan during the mid-Tokugawa Shogunate period and follows the cursed samurai Manji, who has to kill 1000 evil men in order to regain his mortality. The manga was originally published in Afternoon from June 25, 1993, to December 25, 2012. A 2008 anime adaption was produced Bee Train and Production I.G. Also in 2008, the novel Blade of the Immortal: Legend of the Sword Demon was released in Japan by Kodansha, and two years later in the United States by Dark Horse Comics. Kumik decided to release a figure based on Manji and for obvious reason, called Ronin. I haven't owned any Kumik figure releases thus far. Alas, the figure, despite the affordable retail price, is sub-par on quality, including the overall finishing from the figure, robe to the accessories. While sometimes I feel that the hobby has beginning to become less affordable, I also wish for a better figure even if it was slightly pricier. Kidslogic's Akuma and Art Figures releases are good example of balance. Kumik thrown in several additional pegs, interchangeble legs, an extra headsculpt, hands and rotating feet but they are not applicable to the figure. The robe's "blood splashes" are more like some one accidentally spill some "air bandung" on it. It is pink in colour. The hands colouration are incredibly poor, reminiscence of Triad Toys' controversial female body, with plenty of mold lines. The sword and a pair of daggers are lacklustre and could be better. It looks like some thing which could be purchased at pasar malam or one of Dylan's toys. Well, till next manufacturer whom are willing to officially release a better version, I guess I am keeping this one, for now.
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